Zombie Attack!

Zombie Doug MacIsaac was realistically made up during his stint at the Zombie Run organized by Best Body Fitness at Top O’ The Hill Golf Course Saturday. His job was to try and ‘infect’ runners by stealing flags dangling from their belts as they navigated one of the obstacles on the course. Each runner was given six flags which represented their Immune System and they had a chance to earn more at various points on the course.

Waves of runners tested their skill and agility against a mob of zombies scattered strategically around a three kilometre run course at Top O’ The Hill Golf Course Saturday afternoon during the second annual Zombie Run.

By the numbers — 487 runners entered the course in groups at 15 minute intervals and were confronted by zombies at various stages and obstacles. 184 zombies participated some for the full event others for a shift. Twenty-five core volunteers helped organizer Scott McDermott, of Best Body Fitness, stage the special event which raised over $3,100 for four groups — H. J. Cody JV Volleyball team, Central Alberta AA Ringette U14 and U16 Sting teams and Scouting Venturers Troop 25. The groups provided the zombies.

What is a Zombie Run, you might ask. It’s a fun obstacle course that you traverse while being chased by zombies. The zombies try to ‘infect’ you by stealing flags dangling from your belt. These flags represent your immune system, and therefore your health, states the run’s website. “As you run through the obstacle course you may lose flags — that means your immune system is being attacked by the virus. Lose all of your flags and that means you are at risk of becoming a zombie. But don’t despair. There is hope. At a few points on the course you’re able to help at a check point aid station by doing something as directed and once completed volunteers will give you an anti-zombie ‘shot’ and as a symbol of this another flag or two or three.”

“By using your friends, your brains, your speed and skill, you must try to finish the three kilometres with at least one flag intact.”

Among the obstacles were the hallway to hell, attack walls, pallet maze, floating bridge (yes three people fell into the pond), a slack line tight rope walk, ladder hand walk, playground, tire crawl, corral — “all sorts of goofy things”, said McDermott.

The Michael Jackson Thriller Dance was one of the stations where new flags could be earned. Another was a spear throw.

Through it all, zombies reached, grabbed and hid, emerging from under leaves or behind trees at the most inopportune moments. But they couldn’t enter the obstacles.

“From what I heard it was as awesome as it looked,” said McDermott. “I have had lots and lots of positive comments.”

“I was super proud of my crew, all the volunteers and zombies who did an awesome job!”

While a brisk wind blew most of the day, the temperature was much more favourable than last year when the event was held several weeks later with snow on the ground.

“Jamie Lavoie nailed the pro zombie makeup, wow!,” said McDermott. “The six amazing people that got made up really owned the role.” They posed with competitors who paid donations to have their pictures taken. This part of the event raised $843 towards the overall total.